Pre-anaesthetic assessment and perioperative principles: curriculum recognition: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anaesthesia · Pre-anaesthetic assessment and perioperative principles: curriculum recognition

Sample item

During a 3-hour laparotomy under general anaesthesia an adult's core temperature has fallen to 35 degrees C. Which is the most effective single active method of preventing further fall and rewarming the patient?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Forced-air warming blanket over the skin

Most heat is lost from the skin by radiation and convection, so surface warming with forced warm air is the most effective single active measure. Passive covers only reduce loss, and warmed fluids or humidified gas contribute little heat. Prewarming before induction also limits redistribution hypothermia.

Option by option

  • A. Forced-air warming blanket over the skin (correct)

    Correct. Forced warm air transfers heat across the skin, the main route of loss.

  • B. Cotton blankets laid over the patient

    Cotton covers are passive insulation and do not add heat.

  • C. Warming and humidifying the inspired gas

    Airway heat loss is small, so warming the inspired gas adds little.

  • D. Warmed intravenous fluids alone

    Warmed fluids prevent the cooling effect of infusions but supply little heat.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is A, Forced-air warming blanket over the skin. Most heat is lost from the skin by radiation and convection, so surface warming with forced warm air is the most effective single active measure.

Why is "Cotton blankets laid over the patient" not the answer?

Cotton covers are passive insulation and do not add heat.

Why is "Warming and humidifying the inspired gas" not the answer?

Airway heat loss is small, so warming the inspired gas adds little.

Why is "Warmed intravenous fluids alone" not the answer?

Warmed fluids prevent the cooling effect of infusions but supply little heat.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pre-anaesthetic assessment and perioperative principles: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. Passive covers only reduce loss, and warmed fluids or humidified gas contribute little heat. Prewarming before induction also limits redistribution hypothermia.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Pre-anaesthetic assessment and perioperative principles: curriculum recognition?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.